On the evening of June 16, 2022, a dispute in West Baltimore escalated to a fatal conclusion. William Christian, a 49-year-old male, was in the 3500 block of W. Caton Avenue at approximately 8:15 p.m. when an argument broke out. The confrontation ended when Christian was shot in the head. First responders arrived at the scene and transported him to Shock Trauma, but his injuries proved too severe, and he was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the shooting led Baltimore police to
identify a suspect. On June 20, 2022, authorities arrested 40-year-old Theodore Johnson in connection with the fatal shooting. Johnson was subsequently charged with first-degree murder. Investigators believe the shooting stemmed directly from the argument that had occurred moments before.
Following his arrest, Theodore Johnson was transported to the Central Booking Intake Facility. In 2023, he was convicted of first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony crime of violence, and four firearm possession violations. He received a sentence of 60 years in prison. However, the case was later sent back for a retrial by the Appellate Court of Maryland. Despite a request for his release pending the new trial, a judge ordered that Johnson remain incarcerated, citing the violent nature of the crime. The defense has claimed that the killing was an act of 'imperfect self-defense.' As of late 2025, Johnson was awaiting a new jury trial.
